Network Rail is marking World Environment Day by introducing a flock of sheep to help restore and protect land in Perth in a bah-rilliant boost for biodiversity.
25 Scottish sheep are now grazing within the site, using a natural approach to control invasive plant species and improve the environment, all without the need for herbicides.
The initiative harnesses a simple but effective idea: let nature do the work. By feeding on invasive non-native species such as giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam, the sheep are helping to clear the way for wildflowers, native plants and pollinators to thrive, proving that sometimes the best solutions are the most natural.
Situated on a floodplain, the site is particularly vulnerable to the spread of invasive species. Bringing in the sheep offers a sustainable, low-impact alternative to chemical treatments, helping to maintain a healthier, more balanced ecosystem while protecting its unique heritage planting.
The sheep are being kept in a secure grazing area, and their welfare is being closely managed through daily visits from Network Rail staff and a professional shepherd from D&W Agri, alongside CCTV monitoring of the site.
By avoiding herbicides and encouraging natural growth, the initiative is helping to create a thriving, pollinator-friendly environment and giving the space a new lease of life that’s anything but shear luck.
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